drop spindles - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

steppside69 · 11-05-2008, 07:39 PM

I have 2 quick questions and hope you guys can help me,

#1 I was wondering if I bought air bags for my truck (69 chevy) with stock spindles and drum front brakes, Would or are there any issues with keeping the stock components on the truck with bags?
#2 Is there a conversion for 6 lug disk brakes from another truck that is available at a junkyard, That is a direct replacement? Is there any trucks that have bags that are stock suspensions besides the bags? Thanks for the help

**N2TRUX** · 11-05-2008, 08:39 PM

The most common way to do the disc brake conversion is to use a 73-87 components. You can drop the entire crossmember and bolt it under your truck, or break it down piece by piece. This is the easiest "junkyard" solution, but it will give you 5 lug rotors.

If your really want to keep the six lug rotors, there are several forum vendors that sell the kit to replace your drum to disc 6 lug.

Yes, you can put bags in place of your springs and not use any other lowering components. Essentially you replace the coil spring with an air spring (bag).

Any reason why you want to do one with out the other?

VA72C10 · 11-06-2008, 01:30 AM

Anyone done the drop w/bags and front drums w/out putting drop spindles on? Interested how low it can get in the front. Seems like a good cheap way to do it esp. with schraeder valves.

steppside69 · 11-06-2008, 07:06 PM

Thanks for the info, The only reason I was asking was to see if anyone has done it and just the tighta$$ in me. I can afford to do one or the other, and I am debating the brakes or the bags first! I was going with the bags just because the look is immediate and cool

I was asking about the (junkyard) disk swap because if I have enough drop that I'm happy with then I might not want to do the drop spindles. I have to admit that looking at all the trucks here are really motivating me to go lower!!
Thanks, steppside69

steppside69 · 11-06-2008, 07:58 PM

just looking @ slam specialties, wondering if sleeve bags or regular in the rear?prices seem reasonable. Anything I need to beaware of getting stuff from them? Thanks steppside69

pissonNOS · 11-06-2008, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Anyone done the drop w/bags and front drums w/out putting drop spindles on? Interested how low it can get in the front. Seems like a good cheap way to do it esp. with schraeder valves.

I did this and i will admit i was like you in that start but after about 2 carshows of having to fill the bags with a tank and check them with a tire pressure guage i soon got tired of it, if you can afford it do it all at once and with the drums and bags i was about an inch above the tire with the fender now im an inch under

VA72C10 · 11-06-2008, 09:41 PM

I already got two compressors I got a decent deal on....Now looking for a good deal on the bags and the valves. I will probably do it w/out the spindles on my 70 because I plan to eventually sell that and find another project.

gringoloco · 11-07-2008, 10:09 AM

Here's a JY way of converting to 6-lug discs from a late model chevy truck posted by FirstGen:

1968 C20 lower control arms
1990 3/4 ton Light Duty 2X4 must have (1.25" rotors) spindles
1990 1.25" thick 6 lug rotors
1990 calipers off same truck
1990 upper and lower ball joints
1990 outer tie rods
inner tie rods MOOG part #ES2020RL
1990 style tie rod coupler

ENHANCED AIR RIDE · 11-08-2008, 04:00 PM

Hello
Yes if you want to keep 6 lug and add disc later, no problem. Same for doing a drop spindle, can add later. The sleeve bags ride the best but will not go as low as the convoluted in the stock location. LMK if I can help

baggedcten · 11-08-2008, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steppside69

just looking @ slam specialties, wondering if sleeve bags or regular in the rear?prices seem reasonable. Anything I need to beaware of getting stuff from them? Thanks steppside69

they are a great company to work with.

steppside69 · 11-12-2008, 07:54 PM

Thanks for the replys, I was wondering if there is a difference in the ride quality of the different bags?
Can you tell a noticeable difference from coils to bags? I like the look of the drop but think the coils give a pretty good ride and was wondering if I could tell the difference.
Thanks

VA72C10 · 11-12-2008, 11:29 PM

I have heard the slams are performance oriented ( a little stiffer ride) and the dominators and firestones are a more cushy ride. But i'm sure others w/ the bags already installed can add a more informed opinion

11-06-2008, 01:30 AM	#3
VA72C10 VA72C10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 25,267	Re: drop spindles Anyone done the drop w/bags and front drums w/out putting drop spindles on? Interested how low it can get in the front. Seems like a good cheap way to do it esp. with schraeder valves. __________________ Looking for a 67-72 swb or blazer project in or around VA.

11-06-2008, 07:06 PM	#4
steppside69 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rossford,Ohio Posts: 291	Re: drop spindles Thanks for the info, The only reason I was asking was to see if anyone has done it and just the tighta$$ in me. I can afford to do one or the other, and I am debating the brakes or the bags first! I was going with the bags just because the look is immediate and cool I was asking about the (junkyard) disk swap because if I have enough drop that I'm happy with then I might not want to do the drop spindles. I have to admit that looking at all the trucks here are really motivating me to go lower!! Thanks, steppside69 __________________ 69 chevy stepside (project) 2006 Silverado Z71 Ext. cab 2005 Saturn VUE (wifes dd)

11-06-2008, 07:58 PM	#5
steppside69 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rossford,Ohio Posts: 291	Re: drop spindles just looking @ slam specialties, wondering if sleeve bags or regular in the rear?prices seem reasonable. Anything I need to beaware of getting stuff from them? Thanks steppside69 __________________ 69 chevy stepside (project) 2006 Silverado Z71 Ext. cab 2005 Saturn VUE (wifes dd)

11-06-2008, 09:41 PM	#7
VA72C10 VA72C10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 25,267	Re: drop spindles I already got two compressors I got a decent deal on....Now looking for a good deal on the bags and the valves. I will probably do it w/out the spindles on my 70 because I plan to eventually sell that and find another project. __________________ Looking for a 67-72 swb or blazer project in or around VA.

11-07-2008, 10:09 AM	#8
gringoloco A guy with a truck Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Germany, for now Posts: 5,921	Re: drop spindles Here's a JY way of converting to 6-lug discs from a late model chevy truck posted by FirstGen: 1968 C20 lower control arms 1990 3/4 ton Light Duty 2X4 must have (1.25" rotors) spindles 1990 1.25" thick 6 lug rotors 1990 calipers off same truck 1990 upper and lower ball joints 1990 outer tie rods inner tie rods MOOG part #ES2020RL 1990 style tie rod coupler __________________ -Chris Instagram _elgringoloco_ '70 Short-Wide How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10 ‘70 Blazer ConversionHow To: Ruin a Perfectly Good 4wd '72 Highlander How To: Ruin a Perfectly Good K/5 (SOLD) '72 Blazer 2WD How to: Ruin a perfectly good Blazer (SOLD) '05 Yukon Daily Driven (not so stock) Yukon (SOLD) ‘07 Yukon Denali (daily) Members met list: SCOTI, darkhorse970, 67cheby, 67cheby'sGirl, klmore, porterbuilt, n2billet, Fastrucken, classicchev, Col Clank, GSFMECH, HuggerCST, Spray-Bomb, BACKYARD88, 5150, fine69, fatbass, smbrouss70, 65StreetCruiser, GAc10boy

11-05-2008, 07:39 PM	#1
steppside69 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rossford,Ohio Posts: 291	drop spindles I have 2 quick questions and hope you guys can help me, #1 I was wondering if I bought air bags for my truck (69 chevy) with stock spindles and drum front brakes, Would or are there any issues with keeping the stock components on the truck with bags? #2 Is there a conversion for 6 lug disk brakes from another truck that is available at a junkyard, That is a direct replacement? Is there any trucks that have bags that are stock suspensions besides the bags? Thanks for the help __________________ 69 chevy stepside (project) 2006 Silverado Z71 Ext. cab 2005 Saturn VUE (wifes dd)

11-05-2008, 08:39 PM	#2
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: drop spindles The most common way to do the disc brake conversion is to use a 73-87 components. You can drop the entire crossmember and bolt it under your truck, or break it down piece by piece. This is the easiest "junkyard" solution, but it will give you 5 lug rotors. If your really want to keep the six lug rotors, there are several forum vendors that sell the kit to replace your drum to disc 6 lug. Yes, you can put bags in place of your springs and not use any other lowering components. Essentially you replace the coil spring with an air spring (bag). Any reason why you want to do one with out the other? __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

11-08-2008, 04:00 PM	#9
ENHANCED AIR RIDE Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Largo, Florida Posts: 158	Re: drop spindles Hello Yes if you want to keep 6 lug and add disc later, no problem. Same for doing a drop spindle, can add later. The sleeve bags ride the best but will not go as low as the convoluted in the stock location. LMK if I can help Last edited by ENHANCED AIR RIDE; 11-08-2008 at 04:00 PM.

11-12-2008, 07:54 PM	#11
steppside69 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rossford,Ohio Posts: 291	Re: drop spindles Thanks for the replys, I was wondering if there is a difference in the ride quality of the different bags? Can you tell a noticeable difference from coils to bags? I like the look of the drop but think the coils give a pretty good ride and was wondering if I could tell the difference. Thanks __________________ 69 chevy stepside (project) 2006 Silverado Z71 Ext. cab 2005 Saturn VUE (wifes dd)

11-12-2008, 11:29 PM	#12
VA72C10 VA72C10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 25,267	Re: drop spindles I have heard the slams are performance oriented ( a little stiffer ride) and the dominators and firestones are a more cushy ride. But i'm sure others w/ the bags already installed can add a more informed opinion __________________ Looking for a 67-72 swb or blazer project in or around VA.



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